Why does the guy I'm seeing want me to look him in his eyes the entire time we have sex?

I'm pretty used to closing my eyes during sex; it's just what I do so I can focus on finishing I guess lol. But this guy I'm seeing will literally pull my face towards him and say "look at me" multiple times during sex. I think it's super hot, and I actually do it sometimes now without him asking and he loves that, I'll look him in his eye and he'll just go "oh YES" lol. I've just never had a guy insist on eye contact like this before, anyone know what the deal is? Have you slept with anyone like this before?