he gently reached out, hesitated, then touched her face, a feather light touch, before pulling his hand back.
I don't want to make you uncomfortable, or mess things up more. You know how I feel.
And it was there, held down a little so the flow of it would not wash over her, but plain to see. The richness of his care for her, that was steadily growing, his respect, and his attraction. And his willingness to do whatever it took to help her.