Mike Domitrz argues that asking "Can I kiss you?" doesn't ruin a romantic moment if both people want it. Mutual desire matters more than awkwardness. A direct question confirms what both partners already feel.
Here's the fascinating part. If you both want it and you come off as awkward when you both want it, will it ruin the situation? Yes or no? No. No, it will not. A couple of you said yes. Majority of you said no. I'm about to prove it will not. How awkward you are in the moment has zero impact on the outcome if you're both into it. Zero. So how could that be? Well, let's say it's not Allie, it's you alone with a partner, all alone. You've been wanting to kiss them all night. They've been wanting to kiss you. At least you feel that, but nothing's happened. The person you deeply want to desire and kiss leans into you and says, can I kiss you? Are you going to do this? You asked? Awkward. Ruined it. Or are you going to be doing a little woohoo dance inside your head? This is about to happen.
