I think Fox and Phil are both right. Personally for me somewhere between holding hands and going to bed for the first time I'll drop in a
"You're cute/funny/beautiful. I like you." before moving on in the conversation
I don't expect it to be reciprocated but I find it usually stops any
LMR down the line plus why would you be trying it on with a girl you didn't like?
It works for me, but thats because I make it work for me, my mate manages to have a fuck buddy relationship with girls for a couple of months without liking or love words rearing their heads.