Memo to every romance writer, ever:
Maw is not a sexy word.
Maw evokes images of Cthulhu. Or Sarlacc the sand pit. So when you suggest that one character’s “open, panting maw” was near someone’s ear, please be aware that the scenario you are painting is not a pleasant one. And may end in someone losing said ear.
Related: Let's do away with all cavern-related metaphors for the mouth whatsoever. Take it from someone who spelunked in actual caverns as a child. There are two types - wet and dry. Dry is simple enough, cold and dark and full of small crevices in which to get stuck. Wet is often what authors are going after when making comparisons of this nature, and let me tell you, it is not a comparison you want to be making, least of all when a character is kissing someone. It is both cold and vaguely damp. Damp in the way that makes you feel like there is fungus growing on your skin.
Just because words have synonyms doesn’t mean they don’t also have context.
weepingcock is great fun, may I add.