Hey guys, I'm new here so I'll shortly introduce myself.
I'm 22, retired from the army as a combative soldier. Just started bartending at a good bar. Extreame lover - surfing, mountian biking; in a great shape and consider myself not as a hot natural dude but good looking.
I got aware of the PUA community and that way-of-life a few years ago. It has been a change in my life and in my general approach towards women. I Had two long term relationships since than, and two months ago I got single again

I knew that the best way to raise from the hard time is having a good time sarging and getting hot girls. Got another PUA book to refresh my mind, starting checking these forums, and started learning NLP by books (something I wanted to learn years back).
Each time I visit the bar, the beach, or any kind of place like this I gotta open something: 3 girls, 2 girls, waitress - it usually ends up number closing or nothing more but I still find it improving and confident building and I know I got a lot more to do.
So for the case:
I've been in a shift as a bartender. A new waitress came in (HB9 - 18 in age) and immediatly made a strong eye-contact with me. for the whole night we had a few eye-contact moments and I threw her some words during the job. As soon as I finished I went towards her and asked for her name and her phone. She laughed for me being so direct and gave it to me.
We were texting each other alot - a really flirting and sometimes "calm" and connective talks. It's been like five days of almost each day talking and I could tell I really broke everything she was used to and got her "mad" about me. Yesterday we finnaly had the date (we weren't free until then).
It started awesome, I felt really good and immediatly started light kino (which I know I gotta improve escalating so I focused on that) After the first spot where we had a drink we moved over to the beach were we sat there privately and talking for about an hour. A lot of DHV from my side, nothing like bragging but just questions from her towards me or things I came up with. I found her very interesting and attractive girl more than I could think just by chatting.
At this point I felt that it started to die of alittle. The tension kinda lost and I couldn't find a way to escalate easly. At some point I suggested to move on towards my car so we went and talked more but I felt it was less exciting than the beggining.
On the way back home we had lot's of talking about songs and sharing songs, and in some point she stated she wants to ask about my ex. "Is she in touch with you" or something like that. (I took it as a strong IOI despite the bad feeling I had about the end). And when I dropped her home she gave me a kiss on the cheak, I kept holding her for the kiss and she stated "No." and went out, saying "see you" and waving goodbye. 5 minutes later she texted me "hhaha sorry for being stupid, but you're gonna forgive me

" I texted her "haha it's all good, good night". End
I am not sure what is going to happen or how to lead it next and this time I really mind about not screwing it.
I had a same kind of thing with two other girls lately, - good starting date, not enough kino, no KS. One of them showed no interest for the next date and the other one I kept in touch with but I do not really into her so I won't spend my time on a second date.
I hope it's not too much too read and I will appreciate any comment! Maybe tips on how to raise the tension or how ways to escalate towards kiss from your experiences. I know there is info on the forums, I got it and read it. But I would like to know what you say about this case. Thanks guys!