Hi, SuburbanGal.
Welcome. Lots of support here.
Sometimes staying in recovery takes every last resource we can muster.
His pulling back may be because of the relationship, it may be because he is trying to stay sober and in recovery, it may be something else altogether.
This likely is not what you want to hear, but I recommend giving him the space he is asking for.
Live your life, be open to new things, and let this relationship go.
And no more sex to take care of a need. That just keeps you hooked and complicates things.
Good luck.