I would much prefer building up sexual tension and nonverbal communication to 'omg ur hot / so beautiful can i kiss you' but i am but one broad. Its also a really common and easy way to initiate a first kiss and can be cute if said at the right moment.

I worry if one lacks the subtlty to understand body language that flirt-less completely cold verbal negotiation to initiate sexual activity would be less well met. Conventions are known routes and sometimes an attempt to be explicit reads as tactless.

It all works best in conjunction with other cues. Checking in with a partner and establishing consent and connection is built through the flirting stages as well. It lets me know if the person i'm with is paying attention to my signals, can tell when i'm interested or turned on or if they are unable to read my signs of discomfort. Verbally asking what i like / dont like / if something feels good and if its what i want really makes the best sense in the context of being able to somewhat understand my body signals as well.