CSS - An alternative to  

Is there a CSS alternative to  ?

Yes, you can use the CSS property: white-space: nowrap;

An example

A text span with a normal (breaking) space will be split to insert a line break.

Scientists estimate that there are 100 billion stars in the galaxy.

Scientists estimate that there are <span class="count">100 billion</span> stars in the galaxy.

 .count { 
     background-color: black; 
     color: white; 
     border-radius: 10px; 
 }

A text span using white-space: nowrap; will not be split. The line break will be moved earlier in the line.

Scientists estimate that there are 100 billion stars in the galaxy.

Scientists estimate that there are <span class="count nowrap">100 billion</span> stars in the galaxy.

 .count { 
     background-color: black;
     color: white;
     border-radius: 10px;
 }
 .nowrap {
     white-space: nowrap;
 }

CSS - An alternative to &nbsp;