I always start a second date with a short tight hug and keep my hand on the lower back while a pull away and compliment something she's wearing even if it isn't all that interesting. Dates for me should always be fun so I plan stuff that sounds cheesy but works like mini putt (Toronto has a bar that has mini putt which is a perfect combo), Playdium, etc. so that we can laugh at each other, cheer on each other, high five, and so on. Light compliments that aren't frequent are good, make sure your conversation is about POSITIVE experiences instead of facts. If you feel she's vibing with you, smiling at you then looking away, playing with her hair, and all that then it's time to flirt and try some less platonic touches. If you touch and she pulls back then just hold off a bit more.

This all works on a first date too, which I'm actually doing more these days instead of the second date. I was always too timid to suggest these activity dates because they're like something out of high school. I'm no PUA nor am I pulling lots of women to bed, but if you're like where I was two months ago, this has been working for me to get more comfortable in my own skin which also makes the women more comfortable to be around me. They pick up nervous energy and sometimes you really can't get rid of it unless you take the pressure off yourself and practice talking, flirting, and touching. I fucked up a lot at first, I still fuck up but less.

Your other question, I've been on about 15-18 first dates (estimate), 8 second dates, and 5 third dates. In the beginning I hardly got to any second dates.