It is so funny this happened to you, because it happened to me as well 2 days ago! Our cat Mitsy has never eaten anything from our hands in the 6 years we have known him, he always sniffed it then turned and walked away from us. We tried with treats, fish and chicken you name it he was not interested in the slightest! 2 days ago we had some really really smelly tasty sardines i think it was, that we are trying to tempt 2 other outside cats with. I put it in front of him on my hand like normal and for the first time he did exactly what your cat did
Sniffed it a bit, then decided it was so nice it was worth a lick and then took it out of my hand
So lets be happy freaks together