Impulse by Lass Small

I simplified the whole operation for you.”
    “How kind.”
    He nodded in serious acceptance of her droll appreciation, moving his hand out in an open gesture. He casually elaborated, “I thought it was important for you to succeed on your first try.”
    She tilted her head back so that she could look at him directly. “How did you know I was a novice? The only thing that panicked you was how old I was. Is there a way for men to know when women are virgins?”
    He explained logically, “Outside the obvious one, you didn’t lean your breast against me and bare your teeth up at me.”
    She scoffed as she replied, “You make women sound shockingly predatory! Teeth?”
    “It’s a jungle out there.” Then he sighed in long suffering.
    “You could have said ‘smiled’ up at you.”
    “Teeth. That’s all a man sees. Teeth turned his way. It’s frightening. I have astonishing nightmares.” He made his voice earnest. “I wake up in a sweat after some of those dreams.” He gave her a sad, quite sly look.
    “Of teeth?” she guessed drolly.
    “Partly.” He nodded slowly, but those crinkles around his eyes deepened.
    Suddenly, she guessed, “You’re a fraud.” And she knew he was fooling her.
    “Now Amy Aaaabbott, how can you say that?”
    Her eyes flew open, and she had trouble not jerking in surprise. Why had he said those extra A ‘s right then? Was he implying she was a fraud?
    He had to know, or he would never have said her false name at that particular time! He was playing a game with her?
    How could he possibly know she wasn’t exactly who and what she said she was? He couldn’t. Not possibly! It was her own guilty conscience.
    She took over their conversation, changing the subject to one that would surely distract his thoughts of fraud. “I shall bathe you.” That ought to catch his attention. “This is my suite, my weekend. I am in control. Speaking of control, Chas, why did Connie say you always took control, and we would just have to let you?”
    “We’re cousins. Connie’s a year older than I, and she’s never forgiven me for growing taller. She is a very domineering woman.” Quietly serious, he told Amy, “She’s also something of a tart. I’d never admit that to an outsider, but the entire family knows of her indiscretions.
    “I...we have other cousins you’d find better company. Some are here. Sharan, Kim, Ann. There are a lot of very nice women in our family.”
    “You came to Connie to help her,” she reminded him.
    He nodded. “Family obligation.” Then he looked levelly at Amy.
    “You don’t like her?”
    “I...I’m her cousin. We grew up knowing each other. We have many memories in common. She’s family. I help where and how I can.”
    Amy asked, “Are you going with her tomorrow?”
    “Yes.”
    “What’s wrong with her?”
    Chas replied gently, “We’ll know tomorrow.”
    “Can I help?”
    “You already did. You were very sweet.” He put his hand along her jaw and tilted her face to his. “I saw you in that nook and watched as you decided to help. You could have left because she didn’t know you were there.
    “I would bet my soul that your hesitation was because you weren’t sure about intruding. But Connie was really hurting, and you went to her. I like you, Amy.”
    She put her hands up to slide her fingers into his thick black hair. “Have you ever slept with her?”
    He shook his head. “She’s a cousin.”
    Amy shrugged. “So is Matt.”
    “That’s different.”
    “How?”
    “It just is.” Then to dismiss the whole subject, Chas said, “So you want to bathe me? How do I dare trust my tender, naked body to a declared user of strange men? Do you really want to get me clean or are you just using that as an excuse to get your hands on me? Are you a lecher?”
    “I’ll be gentle.”
    He laughed, so amused with her. He hugged her tightly to him. “I hope I can last a decent amount of time. Is this plain or with soap bubbles?”
    She was