After you got the connection? What connection? Are you talking about attraction och emotional bonding (comfort)?
I'm not THAT direct, but I am very direct in opening. I tell girls I think they're ****ing hot and that's the reason I want to speak to them. But I wait with the so called SoI's (Statements of Intent: My intentions are to have sex

).
But, I do tell girls I think they are amazingly hot. I even accuse them, almost bully them, for making me so God damn horny! But, to tone down the tension a bit (it's easy to come on to strong, she might feel as if she can chose wether to have sex with me or not. As if she has all the power of the interaction), I do two things:
1. I say it VERY playfully and funny, but she knows I'm honest. (I think everybody gets this, but for those that doesn't it's good to point this out)
2. I use disqualifiers. I am VERY picky when it comes to girls, and I play out on this. If a girl smokes, doesn't dance, doesn't say what she thinks etc. I tell her: It's too bad you smoke/don't dance/whatever, otherwise you'd be soooo mine baby! But now you can't have me *Smile like a retard*
If I explain badly please tell me to elaborate, I'm Swedish so sometimes translations are a little off
Much love,
- Insurreto