ran a hand softly down my back. "Mmm. Oh, nothing, really. Just, when I saw that chap outside, it occurred to me he might be"-he hesitated, tightening his hold
The quote captures a moment of intimacy between characters, where one is gently comforting the other. The soft touch signifies a connection and tenderness, suggesting that the speaker is about to express a concern or suspicion regarding a third person. This moment of hesitation indicates a sense of protective instinct and the desire to keep the conversation light despite deeper underlying issues.
The use of physical touch in this scene highlights...