How to write romantic scenes that aren't cringy?
I know this question is inherently subjective, but I'm asking it in the case that there are universal traits of a romantic scene that makes it cringy. Now, I guess this question can be applied to all kinds of romantic scenarios, but my difficulty is with on subset of romantic scenes: the physical ones. I can easily set up romantic tension and have romantic dialogue without it seeming cheesy or otherwise cringy, but when it comes to kisses and making-out, I have a feeling what I'm writing is cringy. Now, let me specify what I mean with cringy.
Sometimes, I feel like my descriptions of a passionate make-out is alien and disgusting. Like I'm describing intricate structures of tissue interacting with each other in sticky, mushy ways. The feeling I fear I'm creating with these scenes is perhaps approximate to the feeling you felt reading that last sentence. Now, this is not a product of me not having experience what real-life making-out feels or looks like, in case anyone were going to suggest that as a solution. I think it might be more a product of lack of reading these kinds of scenes. 96
I don't read any erotica, nor do I read a lot of drama, so the romantic interactions in the already few books I read is minimal. I am also an ESL writer, so that might contribute to the issue.
Other times, I feel like the stuff I'm writing is cringy due to it being cheesy and perhaps a bit cliché. It's not like I can remember a concrete example of whatever sentence is causing the problem being used in another place; it's just that the writing seems familiar and tired.
Finally, sometimes I feel like the descriptions get overly erotic, but in an unintentional way. I have no problem have a bit of erotica in my book because sex is an essential part of life and human interaction, and as such, it definitely has a place within a lot of narrative. Thing is, when I'm describing two people kissing and it feels like their facial appendages are having an orgy, then that's erotic in a way that's cringy, at least to me.
So... are there any methods of writing these kinds of scenes without it being cringy? I feel like this is a common issue but it's perhaps quite difficult to tackle. Whatever advice you have is very welcome.
EDIT: I forgot to mention, my current WIP is not a romantic story. It is a Western, but there's of course some drama amidst all that action, and there happens to be a little romance within that drama. 96