TL;DR Do you guys have any strategies regarding going in for the kiss at the first date?

Context: I'm in my mid-twenties and mostly date girls 18-26. I'm average looking, very socially outgoing and pretty confident. Compared to my friends, I'm above average kissing and taking girls home in the bar/club-situation, but I lack experience when it comes to dating. I have also been in some exclusive relationships, although short-lasting (longest was six months).

During dates, most girls seem pretty secure with me and we can talk for hours. I've become better at creating some action/excitement by changing venues and activities during the dates. I've also become better at creating situations where I can do some light touching in a non-creepy way to create some sexual tension, but I still can't nail the kiss in a dating situation.

I usually plan on going in for the kiss at the end of the night when saying good bye, but rarely do it. I think it might be because I'm not shitfaced drunk, and therefore might be a bit afraid of rejection. Although I think it's more because I often find it somewhat forced and unnatural.

On the other side, my understanding that not going in for the kiss is very confusing for them, making them think I just wanna be friends or something.

Any tips are appreciated. :)

Edit: Oh, and I realize that just asking straight up "Is it okay if I kiss you?" might be a very viable tactic, though this (to me at least) seem very beta/insecure/mr.nice guy, and very contradicting to my personality.