@ CharlesInWI - the best answer is ask the person you are cuddling.
The conversation about cuddling and touch is always important. Sometimes there are permissions missed or even unspoken in that first conversation so Always ask along the way too
The best answer is it depends. If they have hands but not arms you may put your an arm around a shoulder and hold hands by default. If hands and upper arms only with no forearm you might hold hands and be to close to chest/bikini lines. Same with forearm with no upper arms If arms are long like squids bikini lines pelvic region problem again.
It all depends on the arm composition, hand size and schweddyness of palmz.
I would agree there is a good bit of trust and intimacy to it, just like cuddling. And as with cuddling that feels different and falls into different categories for different people.
I generally don’t ask to hold hands with a friend because of the intimacy/connotations around it - but wish I could. So, I can see why you and others might not want to, but personally would love to hold hands with people - cuddle buddies or otherwise.
Question: Is hand holding too “intimate” for a cuddle session?
Answer: I guess it depends on what the hand is holding….🙂🙃🤣