<p id="out">
<span>a</span><span>b c</span>
</p>
<p>.</p>
<p>.</p>
<p>.</p>
<style>
#out{
outline: 4px solid blue;
position:relative;
display:inline;
outline-offset:5px;
background:red;
border-radius:5px;
}
#out span+span {
position:relative;left:10px;top:30px;
}
#out span:first-child {
position:relative;left:100px;
}
#out span {
display:inline-flex;
z-index:1;
}
</style>