Chapter 6: "It's very easy to fall in love with Cate Blanchett."

Cate woke up totally disorientated. The room contained nothing familiar, but was clearly not a hotelroom. She sensed a sleeping body lying next to her. Only then she realised: Rooney. As she turned, now facing her, she took in Rooney's fine features. She looked vulnerable, with her eyes closed. Cate knew that Rooney's reticent look made most people reluctant to approach her. It had not bothered her, but still she was surprised about Rooney's quick openness towards her. "I seem to have no defenses against you." Rooney had smiled saying that, showing the dimples Cate now loved so much.

Their lovemaking had been intense, tender, breathtaking. Cate's marriage had lasted eighteen years and she had never been with anyone else during that time. Being with a new partner and, more than that, being with a female partner had at first been confusing. But her desire for the beautiful young woman soon overtook her shyness. Rooney had been thoughtful and passionate, fulfilling a need Cate did not know she had. Making love to Rooney, to take her soft, delicate body, had touched her deeply, marveling at the trust between them. Afterwards they had lain in each other's arms until Cate, exhausted after her long trip, had fallen asleep.

Rooney stirred, slowly opening her eyes to Cate's smiling face.

"Good morning, sleepyhead". Rooney frowned.

"Couldn't resist it." Cate laughed, exaggerating her Aussie accent."Did you sleep well ?"

Rooney didn't answer but instead pulled Cate towards her. They were silent for a while.

The new day would confront them with questions they were not yet ready to answer. In the few hours left before Cate had to leave for her hotel, they wanted to savour this new intimacy and lock out the reality of the NYFF and its obligations. But there were already messages on their phones that had to be answered. Texts from partners, children, PA's. When Rooney slipped into her robe to make some breakfast, Cate took her phone to call her sons, telling them she had arrived safely and was now with Rooney. Andrew was not there.

"Give my love to Daddy, will you ?" Dashiell agreed, only if Cate would say hi to Rooney for him.

"Dashiell says hi," she said to Rooney, who entered with a tray of coffee and croissants.

"Did you speak to Andrew ?"Rooney decided to name the questions that lay in front of them.

"No." Cate averted her gaze.

"Does he know ?" Rooney needed to know.

"I think so. I didn't tell him, but yes, I think he knows."

Rooney took Cate's hand, squeezed it.

"What about Charlie ?" Cate's voice was hardly audible. Rooney sighed.

"Yes, what about Charlie."

She had dodged his questions when she had told him she wanted to be alone at the Central Park appartment during the NYFF. But he was used to her evasiveness and had not pushed her, respecting her need for privacy.

They sat in silence on the bed, close, drinking their coffee.

"I will tell him. But just not now." Rooney put away her cup and shifted, so she could put her head on Cate's shoulder. They were still naked. Cate let her hand roam over Rooney's body, caressing her breasts, feeling arousal grow in them both.

"What do you think of our first night together ?" Rooney blushed, catching Cate's hand and keeping it against her heart.

"Do you need to ask ?" Cate kissed the top of her head.

After some hesitation Rooney asked what had been on her mind ever since she woke up looking into Cate's blue eyes, seeing a tenderness there that astounded her.

"Will there be more ?"

Cate didn't answer, loosening her hand out of Rooney's grip.

"Cate, I need to know." Rooney pushed forward, trying to read the mind of the woman she had opened up to in a way she had never given herself to anyone.

"Dearest, I came here knowing nothing, only that I wanted to be with you." Cate hesitated. "And you gave me what I needed, more so than I could ever have imagined. How could there not be more nights, more days like this ?" She sat up, bringing a hand to her forehead.

"But I need to get my head around this. Need to know how to deal with this, this new love for you. I'm 46, I'm married, have four children, more obligations than I can think of. I want you in my life, but where does this all fit in ?"

Rooney embraced her from behind, leaning her body into Cate's back.

"Cate, I love you." She whispered the words they both feared, knowing that there would be no turning back once they had admitted to a bond that went further than sheer physical attraction.

Cate lowered her head.

"Please, don't."

But Rooney couldn't let go. She cupped Cate's breasts, kissing her neck, pushing her onto the bed.

"We will find a way. Until then we will live by the day. And today, just let me love you." And she did, leaving Cate breathless, while she stroked and took possession of every part of her body. Afterwards she soothed her in her arms, both crying.

They showered together, already experiencing a warm familiarity with each others ways and needs. They discussed meeting each other the next day, in the company of Todd, Sarah, Phyllis and other members of the crew. And agreed they would act as loving friends would act. It made it possible to be near to each other, without arousing too much suspicions. But why would anyone suspect anything, given their present public lives ?

Once again in her black coat, Cate felt weary, not wanting to leave. Rooney urged her to go: she was already late for her next appointment. They embraced in the hall.

"Goodbye, missus." Cate gloated at Rooney's startled look.

"What ! Don't you patronize me." She snatched Cate's lapels, pulling her close to kiss her, biting her lips.

Cate opened the door and left, still laughing.