Have you tried bribing him with treats? I had one rescue who hated to be petted, but I would give her some treats and pet her while she ate them and she soon realized I wasn’t going to hurt her and she liked being pet.
Just a thought (as my little Wilhelmina runs across my keyboard while playing fetch with my husband).
Yeah, tried that. He wants the treats, but backs away as soon as my hand goes near him. Even when he is enjoying his mushy food and I happen to walk by (which I try not to), he looks at me with such fear.
So now if I have to walk by, I state in my kitty high pitched voice, “it’s just mommy, it’s okay” and he’ll start eating again.
He does enjoy laying on me though, and also sharing my pillow with him.
I have no idea what this poor little thing has gone through, I just know it takes time.
Time is all I have, with love, to give. He’s become much better than when I first took him in.
I know he loves me and he knows I love him. Time heals all wounds. He really is a sweetie.