Can't I just have a cuddle buddy, with no strings attache
Not really.
You're still just using someone for physical gratification for your own emotional pleasure.
Women tend to avoid being used like that.
And there are certain biological and emotional reactions that naturally occur from it.
The desperate ones that are willing to do that are going to be looking for it to be a gateway to something more.
Physical intimacy is a type of communication.
There's a reason why most guys (in the U.S. at least) hug a certain way. Slap on the back, body kind of apart, less than 2 seconds.
Or refuse to really hug other men and just shake hands.
What you're asking for is similar to "why can't guys just hold each others junk for 10 minutes to say hello and have it only mean hello, I mean handjobs are amazing. But dudes, sometimes you just want to hand cuddle with a friend to show you're friendly."
It's not normal communication.
And those willing to participate in it aren't going to see it the same way you do just because you don't see any harm in it and "less" than something else, like penetrating coitus.
Other than that, what you are asking is "why can't I go to like a relationship amazon buffet and pick and choose the relationship behaviors I want now from the sellers I want and, since I guess I have to but really don't want to, pay them in 'friendship?'"
Good news is you kinda can.
You can always hire a prostitute, a massage therapist, and in some places they do have people that offer to sell you "just cuddling" services. Become a regular and they'll be friendly I'll bet.
Plus you can always go the James Franco Kimiko route.
Search for "Dakimakura"