Affectionate touch (6)
I believe the answer is:
caress
'affectionate touch' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for caress that I've seen before include "pet[s]" , "Stroke, fondle" , "Gentle stroke" , "Stroke lightly in a loving manner" , "Gentle loving touch" .)