In the last week I’ve gotten better at ignoring approach anxiety, but at a new, annoying sticking point:
I can approach, introduce myself and build rapport, usually finding interesting/intellectual commonalities to deep dive into, and I do light touches to the shoulder or knee when talking—but I don’t feel I’m building attraction and can escalate from there.

Last night I introduced myself to a girl and we got into a conversation I really enjoyed. I showed genuine interest in a couple of her interests when she brought them up. When her friend pulled her away because they were leaving together, I got her number (with the reason being to 'continue our conversation'), but I don’t feel my sexual intent was evident at all. This was at a house party where a lot of people knew each other, so I don’t think being hit on is immediately assumed, and I felt weird isolating her but perhaps that's something I could've tried? Idk the diagnosis.

How do you avoid only building comfort/rapport while missing attraction/flirtation?
Should I push myself to be more direct, and if so, how?